Par Method of Playing Target Golf With Limited Flight Balls

ABSTRACT

A game of target golf and a method for scoring are disclosed that generally involves a multi-zone target and a par scoring system that more accurately reflects and trains users to play traditional golf. The games may use of golf ball with limited flight capabilities that allows the players to play in smaller ranges, and with more versatile targets.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/546,559, filed on Aug. 17, 2017, titled “Par Methodof Playing Target Golf With Limited Flight Balls”; and U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 62/637,986, filed on Mar. 2, 2018, also titled“Par Method of Playing Target Golf With Limited Flight Balls”; both ofwhich are incorporated by reference herein in theirs entirety for allpurposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is in the technical field of outdoor target golf.More particularly, the present invention pertains to the field of targetgolf using a par system of scoring and possibly the use of limitedflight balls.

2. Description of Related Art

Conventional target golf courses and/or games are generally not designedfor players of varying skill and ability while still being motivationalfor all players. Conventional target golf courses and/or games areordinarily limited in the number of players that may play at one time,thusly excluding group play for groups having relatively many players.It is also apparent that conventional target golf courses and games donot provide practice situations, especially for pitching and chipping,which allow for performance to be quantified and improved upon underconditions similar to those associated with traditional golf so thatskills acquired and reinforced in practice may be directly applied totraditional golf. Conventional target golf games typically lack areadily understandable system of rules and scoring compatible with theconcepts of traditional golf. Additionally, target golf games aregenerally not adaptable for being laid out on an irregular piece ofground using the existing topography with minimal or no modifications.

In light of the foregoing, there is a need for an outdoor bulls-eyetarget golf game which incorporates chipping and pitching shots takenunder conditions analogous to those encountered in traditional golfwithout the need for time-consuming setup and capable of being played byrelatively large groups of players and according to an uncomplicated,easily comprehensible system of rules and scoring compatible with theconcepts of traditional golf.

SUMMARY

The scope of the present invention is defined solely by the appendedclaims and detailed description of a preferred embodiment, and is notaffected to any degree by the statements within this summary. Inaddressing many of the problems experienced in the related art, such asthose relating to methods of scoring, use of traditional golf balls, andthe characteristics of the target used in target golf itself the presentdisclosure generally involves a par scoring system that more accuratelyreflects traditional golf, the use of a ball with limited flightcapabilities that allows the players to play in smaller ranges, and amore versatile target.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES

The present disclosure can provide a number of advantages depending onthe particular aspect, embodiment, and/or configuration. None of theparticular objects or advantages that follow must be entirely satisfiedas they are non-exclusive alternatives and at least one of the followingobjects is met; accordingly, several objects and advantages of thepresent invention are:

each player may complete their own score card similarly to traditionalgolf;

scoring may be done using a par method of scoring;

use of limited flight balls allows for a smaller playing field;

an outdoor bulls-eye target golf course and game may be laid out on arelatively small area;

loss of ball is unlikely;

to improve the practice opportunities available to golfers for chippingand pitching;

These and other objectives and advantages of the instant invention willbecome apparent from the following description taken in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustrationand example, certain embodiments of the instant invention. The drawingsare intended to constitute a part of this specification and includeexemplary embodiments of the present invention and illustrate variousobjects and features thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various embodiments are described herein with reference to the following

Drawings. Certain aspects of the Drawings are depicted in a simplifiedway for reason of clarity. Not all alternatives and options are shown inthe Drawings and, therefore, the Claims are not limited in scope to thecontent of the Drawings.

FIGURES

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a target golf target, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates a method of par scoring that is harder for the userto get a low score, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates a method of par scoring that is easier for a user toget a low score, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates a scorecard for a par method of scoring, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 illustrates a method of arranging a target golf course for thepar scoring method, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 6 illustrates a method of arranging a target golf course for thepar scoring method, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 7 illustrates a method of arranging a target golf course for thepar scoring method, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 8 illustrates a method of arranging a target golf course for thepar scoring method, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 9 illustrates a method of arranging a target golf course for thepar scoring method, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding componentsthroughout the several figures of the Drawings. Elements in the severalfigures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have notnecessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some ofthe elements in the figures may be emphasized relative to other elementsfor facilitating understanding of the various presently disclosedembodiments. Also, common, but well-understood elements that are usefulor necessary in commercially feasible embodiment are often not depictedin order to facilitate a less obstructed view of these variousembodiments of the present disclosure.

REFERENCES

-   20 Target Golf Target-   22 First Circular Target Line-   24 Inner Target Zone-   26 Second Circular Target Line-   28 Intermediate Target Zone-   30 Third Circular Target Line-   32 Outer Target Zone-   34 Exterior Target Zone-   36 Target Hole-   38 Ball-   40 Hitting Area-   42 Scoring System A-   44 Scoring System B-   46 Score Card

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but ismade merely for the purpose of describing the general principles ofexemplary embodiments, many additional embodiments of this invention arepossible. It is understood that no limitation of the scope of theinvention is thereby intended. The scope of the disclosure should bedetermined with reference to the Claims. Reference throughout thisspecification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or similar languagemeans that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic that isdescribed in connection with the embodiment is included in at least oneembodiment of the present disclosure. Thus, appearances of the phrases“in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” and similar language throughoutthis specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the sameembodiment.

The phrases “at least one,” “one or more,” and “and/or” are open-endedexpressions that are both conjunctive and disjunctive in operation. Forexample, each of the expressions “at least one of A, B and C”, “at leastone of A, B, or C”, “one or more of A, B, and C”, “one or more of A, B,or C” and “A, B, and/or C” means A alone, B alone, C alone, A and Btogether, A and C together, B and C together, or A, B and C together.The terms “a” or “an” entity refers to one or more of that entity. Assuch, the terms “a” (or “an”), “one or more” and “at least one” can beused interchangeably herein. It is also to be noted that the terms“comprising,” “including,” and “having” can be used interchangeably.

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of thepresent invention, reference will now be made to the embodimentsillustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used todescribe the same.

The present invention relates generally to a method for playing targetgolf games using a par scoring system, and more particularly target golfgames incorporating skills applicable to traditional golf and typicallyusing most full swing clubs (any club except a putter). Putting istypically not included in target golf. A target golf game typicallyinvolves each player taking turns hitting one or more balls or limitedflight projectiles from one or more hitting location, which may be teeboxes. The number of tee stations may be determined by the customizableset up configurations established at the beginning of a game ortournament.

As illustrated in FIG. 1 a target golf game comprises one or moreportable targets (20) that are easy to disassemble and can be assembledat customized locations for play. The target (20) may be referred to asa “bullseye” or a “bullseye target”; but they are all the same thing.The target (20) can be made of any material suitable for its purpose andcan be buoyant so that it can be placed in a pool or other body ofwater. The target (20) may also be a permanent fixture for regular playin a singular location, meaning it can be built into a surface the way aFrisbee golf hole would be.

The target (20) itself optionally (preferably) comprising two or moreconcentric target lines which may include a first circular, curved, orpolygonal target line (22) of a first diameter circumscribing an innertarget zone (24), a second circular, curved, or polygonal target line(26) of a second diameter, greater than the circumference of the firsttarget line, circumscribing an intermediate target zone (28) between thefirst target line (22) and the second target line (26), and a thirdcircular, curved, or polygonal target line (30) of a third diameter,greater than the circumference of the second target line, circumscribingan outer target zone (32) between the third target line (30) and thesecond target line (24); and also circumscribing an exterior target zone(34) outside of the third target line (30). There may also be a targethole (36) at the center of the inner target zone (24). The target hole(36) can be an upright cone as depicted or any physical geometricconfiguration capable of containing a sub region: on the plane of,above, below, or the around, the center of the inner target zone (24).The target may also have a flagpole, preferably attached to a centralhub of the target (20). Obviously, additional fourth, fifth, and so on .. . target lines could be added with inherent additional circumscribedtarget zones.

In a preferred embodiment, the target (20) may comprise uniform lengthsof flexible rods wrapped in buoyant tubular foam forming concentricshapes interconnected by a plurality of thin flexible radial spokesradiating from a central hub. The concentric shapes may be segmentedinto quadrants, octants, or pluralities connected and held together byflexible interlocking quick-detachable joints.

The target (20) and areas defined by the target lines and possibletarget hole (36) are used to determine the score of a ball (38) whichmay be a limited flight ball such as a Birdieball (a hollow cylinder),whiffle ball, plastic ball, or any other ball capable of being hit andtravelling a much shorter distance than a solid ball; such balls mayalso be buoyant such that they are easily retrieved from water and madein various colors and designs so that a player may easily discern theirball from that of another player. The method of using a limited flightball allows the game to be played in smaller areas, such as areas assmall as 20 yards by 40 yards. The lighter weight of the limited flightballs also makes them safe for use around vulnerable or fragile objectsas they have lower momentum and can apply less force to objects theystrike.

The method of scoring the target golf game is new in that it moreclosely approximates scoring of a normal game of golf and uses a parsystem, unlike previous methods of playing target golf. As seen in FIG.5, At least one hitting area (40), which may be a tee box, is set up ata distance from the target (20) and a player hits a ball (also called aplayer's “stroke”); where the ball ends its movement in relation to thetarget (20) determines the player's score for hitting that ball (thatstroke). The player's score in relation to said hit ball can bedetermined using the par method in a variety of ways: so long as one ofthe possible scores is a “Par”. A “Par” score is essentially a zeroscore; in relation to this Par (zero) score there must also be scoreswhich are both positive in relation to Par as they move from one regionto another away from the center of the target (20) as defined by thetarget lines; and negative in relation to Par as they move toward thecenter of the target (20) as defined by the target lines.

Importantly, this method of scoring reflects the system of “Par” used intraditional golf where there is an expected number of strokes to get thegolf ball in the hole and doing so in fewer strokes is better, which iswhy in this method of scoring getting your ball closer to the hole isequivocal to taking less strokes in a traditional game of golf. Thereare a number of ways of implementing a method of par scoring using anynumber of target lines and scoring zones with either par, negative, orpositive scores. Preferably the total number of par, positive, ornegative scores would reflect the possible par, positive, or negativescores of a traditional game of golf; thus the relative scores wouldcarry the same symbolic meaning in relation to the improvement of theplayer's abilities, even if it is just in the scoring system itself andnot in actual performance, although practice in target golf shouldimpart some benefit to the play of traditional golf.

By way of example, and not to be limiting in any sense, a couple of thebest methods of establishing the score of a hit are illustrated in FIGS.2 and 3. FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of a possible par scoringmethod “Scoring System A” (42). Scoring System A represents a lessforgiving par scoring method as the player's score for their hit dependsupon the ball landing closer to the center of the Target (20) to achieveat least a Par (zero) score with a lower possible maximum low score (inthis case being a −2). This scoring system would make sense if theplayers are good or are hitting the ball from a short distance. InScoring System A (42) the Par score is set in the intermediate targetzone (28) with the inner target zone (24) scoring a −1, and the targethole scoring a −2. Going away from the center of the target, the outertarget zone (32) scores a +1, and the exterior target zone (34), by farthe easiest since it is not circumscribed inside of a target line,scores a +2.

Similarly, FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of a possible par scoringmethod “Scoring System B” (44) representing a more forgiving par scoringmethod as the player's score for their hit depends upon the ball landingfarther from the center of the Target (20) to achieve at least a Par(zero) score with a higher possible maximum low score (in this casebeing a −3). This scoring system would make sense if the players are notas good or are hitting the ball from a greater distance.

In Scoring System B (44) the Par score is set in the outer target zone(32) with the intermediate target zone (28) scoring a −1, the innertarget zone (24) scoring a −2, and the target hole scoring a −3. Goingaway from the Par outer target zone (32), the exterior target zone (34)only scores a +1. Under this scoring system it would be easier tomaintain a zero, or par score.

Generally, this method of playing a game of target golf comprises thefollowing steps: step one, each player hits one or more balls from oneor more tee locations to one or more targets, each target comprising atleast a target hole and a first circular target line of a first diametercircumscribing an inner target zone, or a first circular target line ofa first diameter circumscribing an inner target zone and a secondcircular target line of a second diameter, greater than the firstdiameter, circumscribing an intermediate target zone; in either case,said step of hitting comprises each player hitting one or more ballswith only one swing. In step two, each player scores the balls they hitaccording to where they landed in relation to the target, balls thatland closest to the center of the target receive a negative point score,balls that landed outside of all the target lines receive a positivepoint score, and balls that landed in at least one zone between the tworeceive a zero, or par, point score. In step three, each player totalstheir points upon completion of said scoring, whereby the player withthe lowest total points is declared the winner of the game.

Other methods of using the par scoring system are possible withadditional target lines and inherent additional circumscribed targetzones, but the idea is to keep the scoring within the realities ofscoring traditional golf games; meaning the par zones would have to havecircumscribed target zones with positive outside of the par zone andnegative values inside the par zone.

Keeping with the method of imitating traditional golf scoring ascorecard may be used. FIG. 4 illustrates one embodiment of such ascorecard (46). Such scorecard could have any number of holes forplayers and any number of players. Preferably the scorecard (46) wouldbe able to keep track of either 9 or 18 holes to simulate traditionalgolf scoring. Holes with different par values and yards from the tee boxto the target could be accounted for as well as player handicaps, netscores, bogey scores, and all the traditional golfing scorecard data andcomputations.

The par method of scoring target golf does not require a specific set upbetween the location where the player hits their ball (40), which may bea tee box, and the target (20) but some setups will help to improve theplayer's abilities better than others as well as help replicate the 9 or18 hole scoring system that is used in traditional golf and by which thepar method of scoring is particularly well suited to replicate. FIGS. 5through 9 show examples of different methods for setting up one or moretee boxes for efficient and skillful play of the game. The target andhitting surfaces may be set up to rest on the surface of variousterrains, such as Grass, earth, sand, water, snow, or any paddedflooring surface both outdoors or indoors (assuming adequate space isavailable).

FIG. 5 illustrates three tee boxes (40) arranged linearly with thetarget (20). In this set up the players can practice the power of theirstroke. Three tee boxes at three different distances from the target(20) allow each player to hit from each tee box either 3 or 6 times tosimulate the scoring of a traditional game of golf using the par methodof scoring.

FIG. 6 illustrates three tee boxes (40) arranged equidistantly from thetarget (20) but at different angles. In this set up the players canpractice consistency in the power of their stroke from different angles.Again, three tee boxes (40) allow each player to hit from each tee box(40) either 3 or 6 times to simulate the scoring of a traditional gameof golf using the par method of scoring.

FIG. 7 illustrates six tee boxes (40) arranged equidistantly from thetarget (20) but at different angles in a baseball diamond. In thisconfiguration the players would need to hit from each tee box (40) 3times to simulate an 18 hole game of golf.

FIG. 8 illustrates six tee boxes (40) arranged equidistantly from thetarget (20) in a circular fashion. Again, in this configuration theplayers would need to hit from each tee box (40) 3 times to simulate an18 hole game of golf.

FIG. 9 illustrates nine tee boxes (40) arranged equidistantly from thetarget (20) in a circular fashion. In this configuration the playerswould need to hit from each tee box (40) either once to simulate atraditional a nine hole round of golf or twice to simulate an 18 holegame of golf.

Information as herein shown and described in detail is fully capable ofattaining the above-described object of the present disclosure, thepresently preferred embodiment of the present disclosure; and is, thus,representative of the subject matter; which is broadly contemplated bythe present disclosure. The scope of the present disclosure fullyencompasses other embodiments which may become obvious to those skilledin the art, and is to be limited, accordingly, by nothing other than theappended claims, wherein any reference to an element being made in thesingular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless explicitly sostated, but rather “one or more.” All structural and functionalequivalents to the elements of the above described preferred embodimentand additional embodiments as regarded by those of ordinary skill in theart are hereby expressly incorporated by reference and are intended tobe encompassed by the present claims.

Moreover, no requirement exists for a system or method to address eachand every problem sought to be resolved by the present disclosure, forsuch to be encompassed by the present claims. Furthermore, no element,component, or method step in the present disclosure is intended to bededicated to the public regardless of whether the element, component, ormethod step is explicitly recited in the claims. However, that variouschanges and modifications in form, material, work-piece, and fabricationmaterial detail may be made, without departing from the spirit and scopeof the present disclosure, as set forth in the appended claims, as maybe apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, are also encompassedby the present disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of playing a game of target golf,comprising the steps of: step one, each player hits one or more ballsfrom one or more tee locations to one or more targets, each targetcomprising three or more concentric target lines including a firstcircular target line of a first diameter circumscribing an inner targetzone, a second circular target line of a second diameter, greater thanthe first diameter, circumscribing an intermediate target zone betweenthe second target line and the first target line, and a third circulartarget line of a third diameter, greater than the second diameter,circumscribing an outer target zone between the third target line andthe second target line and also an exterior target zone outside of thethird target line, said step of hitting comprising each player hittingone or more balls with only one swing; step two, each player scores theballs they hit according to where they landed in relation to the target,balls that land closest to the center of the target in the inner targetzone receive a negative point score, balls that landed outside of allthe target lines receive a positive point score, and balls that landedin at least one zone between the inner target zone and outside of thetarget receive a zero, or par, point score; and step three, each playertotals their points upon completion of said scoring, whereby the playerwith the lowest total points is declared the winner of the game.
 2. Themethod of playing a game of target golf as in claim 1, wherein balls theland in the inner target zone receive −1 point score, balls that land inthe intermediate zone receive a zero point score, balls that land in theouter target zone receive a +1 point score, and balls that land in theexterior target zone receive a +2 point score.
 3. The method of playinga game of target golf as in claim 1, wherein balls the land in the innertarget zone receive −2 point score, balls that land in the intermediatezone receive a −1 point score, balls that land in the outer target zonereceive a zero point score, and balls that land in the exterior targetzone receive a +1 point score.
 4. The method of playing a game of targetgolf as in claim 1, further comprising a target hole at the center ofthe inner target zone.
 5. The method of playing a game of target golf asin claim 4, wherein said target hole is raised above the ground.
 6. Themethod of playing a game of target golf as in claim 4, wherein balls theland in the target hole receive −2 point score, balls that land in theinner target zone receive −1 point score, balls that land in theintermediate zone receive a zero point score, balls that land in theouter target zone receive a +1 point score, and balls that land in theexterior target zone receive a +2 point score.
 7. The method of playinga game of target golf as in claim 4, wherein balls the land in thetarget hole receive −3 point score, balls that land in the inner targetzone receive −2 point score, balls that land in the intermediate zonereceive a +1 point score, balls that land in the outer target zonereceive a zero point score, and balls that land in the exterior targetzone receive a +1 point score.
 8. The method of playing a game of targetgolf as in claim 1, wherein three tee locations are arranged in a linewith the target and each player hits from each tee location either 3 or6 times.
 9. The method of playing a game of target golf as in claim 1,wherein three tee locations are arranged equidistant from the target atdifferent angles and each player hits from each tee location either 3 or6 times.
 10. The method of playing a game of target golf as in claim 1,wherein six tee locations are arranged equidistant from the target atdifferent angles and each player hits from each tee location 3 times.11. The method of playing a game of target golf as in claim 1, whereinsix tee locations are arranged equidistant from the target in a circleand each player hits from each tee location 3 times.
 12. The method ofplaying a game of target golf as in claim 1, wherein nine tee locationsare arranged equidistant from the target in a circle and each playerhits from each tee location either once or twice.
 13. The method ofplaying a game of target golf in claim 1, wherein said balls are limitedflight golf balls.
 14. The method of playing a game of target golf inclaim 13, wherein said limited flight golf balls are hollow cylinders.15. The method of playing a game of target golf as in claim 1, whereinsaid target has a flag at its center.
 16. The method of playing a gameof target golf as in claim 1, wherein said target floats.
 17. The methodof playing a game of target golf as in claim 1, wherein said target ispermanently affixed to a location.
 18. The method of playing a game oftarget golf as in claim 1, wherein a scorecard is used that keeps trackof either 9 or 18 holes.
 19. A method of playing a game of target golf,comprising the steps of: step one, each player hits one or more ballsfrom one or more tee locations to one or more targets, each targetcomprising a target hole, a first circular target line of a firstdiameter circumscribing an inner target zone, and an exterior targetzone outside of any target lines, said step of hitting comprising eachplayer hitting one or more balls with only one swing; step two, eachplayer scores the balls they hit according to where they landed inrelation to the target, balls that land in the target hole receive anegative point score, balls that landed outside of all the target linesreceive a positive point score, and balls that land in the inner zonereceive a zero, or par, point score; and step three, each player totalstheir points upon completion of said scoring, whereby the player withthe lowest total points is declared the winner of the game.
 20. A methodof playing a game of target golf, comprising the steps of: step one,each player hits one or more balls from one or more tee locations to oneor more targets, each target comprising a target hole, a first circulartarget line of a first diameter circumscribing an inner target zone, anda second circular target line of a second diameter, greater than thefirst diameter, circumscribing an intermediate target zone between thesecond target line and the first target line, and an exterior targetzone outside of any target lines, said step of hitting comprising eachplayer hitting one or more balls with only one swing; step two, eachplayer scores the balls they hit according to where they landed inrelation to the target, balls that land in the target hole receive anegative point score, balls that landed outside of all the target linesreceive a positive point score, and balls that land in either the innerzone or intermediate zone receive a zero, or par, point score; and stepthree, each player totals their points upon completion of said scoring,whereby the player with the lowest total points is declared the winnerof the game.